Chess Mate: Victory begins with an old opening

for best game in the U.S. Amateur Team East competition, played last month in Parsippany, is a win by Ted McHugh, of Connecticut, over Grandmaster Larry Kaufman, of Maryland.

It starts out as a tough, even game and then McHugh initiates a very creative attack. The four knights opening goes back to a different era in terms of opening play. Viewed as very conservative, it is rarely played at the higher levels of competition.

MOVE BY MOVE

USATE 2015 (2), 2/14/15

McHugh, Ted (2366) vs. GM Kaufman, Larry (2401) [C48]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5

Wow — the Four Knights! You don't see this much of late.

4...Bc5 5.0-0

A critical line is: 5.Nxe5 Nxe5 6.d4 Bd6 7.f4 Nc6 8.e5

5..0-0 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.d3

This has become very similar to the DERLD (the Delayed Exchange Ruy Lopez Deferred). It is not to be underestimated, as was demonstrated decades ago.

7...Re8 8.Be3 Bf8 9.Ne2

With Black having little to attack in the center or queenside, it makes sense for White to get all his pieces over to the kingside to launch an attack.

9...Nd7 10.Ng3 Nc5 11.h3 Qf6

An interesting choice by the GM. Nobody's playing for a draw.

12.Nh2 Qh4 13.Qd2 h6 14.Ne2 Ne6 15.f4 exf4 16.Nxf4 Bd6 17.Nf3 Qe7

This whole game, thus far, has been played very well by both parties. Now, it starts to get interesting.